Meaningful Work & Life Lab

Welcome to the Meaningful Work and Life Lab at Boston College!

In our lab, we study how to help workers find more meaningfulness in their work and lives! In the MWLL (aka the "Mule Lab"), we use a variety of approaches such as quantitative surveys, experience sampling methods, and experiments in our pursuit. We use the noble mule as our mascot to remind us that meaningfulness in work and life should be approachable, resilient, and accessible to all.

See our amazing team of PhD student, external, and undergraduate research contributors below!

Shannon Sciarappa (shannon.sciarappa@bc.edu) is a doctoral student in the Management and Organization Department at BC. She studies meaningful work and identity and takes a qualitative approach to studying these phenomena.

What makes Shannon's life meaningful? For me, life finds its meaning through a blend of relational factors. I find building and nurturing meaningful relationships with family, friends, and colleagues deeply significant. I also find meaning in supporting others' growth towards becoming the best versions of themselves. Whether through teaching, counseling, or simply offering encouragement, I strive to contribute to their development and well-being.

Brenna Samikkannu is a Manager in Huron Consulting's Strategy and Operations practice, focused on supporting education and healthcare clients. Brenna received a Bachelor's in Human & Org Development at Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge, where she researched social impact and social intrapreneurship. In addition to social impact, Brenna is interested in research related to purpose, meaning, and Board effectiveness.

What makes Brenna's life meaningful? My faith gives my life meaning. My faith inspires me to serve others and try my best to make a difference in the world. Though I often fall short, I have found that when I adopt both an "others oriented" perspective and day-to-day practices that are focused on helping others- my life feels exceedingly more meaningful than when I am focused on myself.

Aris Antoniadis is an undergraduate research assistant graduating in 2025. He is getting his B.S. in Management (Concentration in Business Analytics) and B.A. in Psychology.

What makes Aris's life meaningful? I find meaning in the constant interplay between exploration and mystery, as each moment propels us towards new unknowns

Gia Villella is an undergraduate research assistant graduating in 2026. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in General Business.

What makes Gia's life meaningful? What makes my life meaningful is the fulfillment I gain from connecting with others. I deeply enjoy meeting new people from all walks of life and learning about their unique perspectives. I also find great joy in deepening my relationships with friends and family. Having those closest to me by my side gives me a strong sense of purpose and belonging. Surrounding myself with people who make me happy helps me become a better person, fulfilling my life's goal of being the best version of myself.

Louisa Stamas is an undergraduate research assistant graduating in 2026. She is a Philosophy major with General Business and International Studies (Cooperation and Conflict concentration) minors.

What makes Louisa's life meaningful? Connections that have broadened my perspective and deepen my understanding of others and the world around me.

ALUMNI OF THE MULE LAB

Connor Whitney

Samantha Schmer